Sese Wood Fertility Doll Sculpture, 'Akuaba'

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ABOUT

Victor Yao Delanyo crafts an ornate representation of Akuaba, the fertility doll of the Akan people. According to legend, there once was a woman who couldn't conceive, so the village priest told her to craft a doll, dress it and look after it as she would a child. Soon she'd have a child of her own. Custom persists and many women prepare their own Akuaba doll, and when the child is born, Akuaba is given as the baby's first toy. Delanyo carves by hand this extraordinary replica from seasoned sese wood, and adorns with colorful beaded accessories and embossed brass plates.

Product Details

Meet the Artist

"My works have been exhibited in the United States, as well as in Germany, Belgium, France and Australia."

"My name is Victor Yao Delanyo; I was born in January 28, 1966 in the Volta Region of Ghana. I completed my elementary school education in 1982. Due to financial difficulties I could not further my education, so I joined my brother-in-law who was a master carver, specializing in traditional African objects. I have been working independently for the past ten years and I am proud to mention that my works have been exhibited in the United States, as well as in Germany, Belgium, France and Australia.

"I work with ten experienced carvers. We acquire a type of hardwood known as sese for carving masks. The image is first sketched on paper, and then given to the apprentices to carve. We chip at the wood to get the desired figure or shape, then use sandpaper and polish to achieve a smooth object of good quality. I use red and black emulsion paint for the finishing. Other materials used to decorate and preserve our works are metal plates and sometimes clay."

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Triple 'Win' Pricing

Unicef Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.

WIN # 1 You Save!

Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Unicef partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Unicef Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.

WIN # 2 Children Benefit!

Each item purchased from Unicef Market will benefit Unicef's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.

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Triple 'Win' Pricing

Unicef Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.

WIN # 1 You Save!

Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Unicef partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Unicef Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.

WIN # 2 Children Benefit!

Each item purchased from Unicef Market will benefit Unicef's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.

Certification

Payment

Your order is with NOVICA, Ltd., registered company (England & Wales) 10347597, who take the financial risk with the business. Unicef UK receives approximately 22% from sales of cards & artisan gifts. Unicef UK receives 100% from the sales of all Inspired Gifts, including 100% of all donations. Novica, Ltd., acts as an agent for collecting payment for Inspired Gifts & Donations which are passed to Unicef UK in full after processing.